Foreword: When the rhythm of the music changes, the dance step must change also

When Prof (Professor) Geesje van den Berg first informed me that they were working on a book about AI in education, I was thrilled, as discussions surrounding technological innovation are often dominated by the discourse of the Global North, meaning that the voices from the developing economies of the Global South are insufficiently represented.

When Prof (Professor) Geesje van den Berg first informed me that they were working on a book about AI in education, I was thrilled, as discussions surrounding technological innovation are often dominated by the discourse of the Global North, meaning that the voices from the developing economies of the Global South are insufficiently represented. When she later invited me to contribute a foreword, I felt both honoured and intrigued to be considered, as there are many individuals undertaking pioneering work in this field who might offer a more unique perspective. However, Prof Van den Berg and I have known each other for many years, having collaborated at UNISA on an interim educator qualification called the National Professional Diploma in Education, and subsequently on a Master’s programme in open and distance learning (ODL), as well as having contributed to the same textbook on Curriculum Studies. Therefore, I was confident that the new publication would be something to eagerly anticipate.